Although Kwanzaa doesn't officially begin until Dec. 26, the Office of Multicultural Programs and the Black Student Cultural Programming Board are hosting a pre-Kwanzaa dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Baker University Center Ballroom.

Besides a buffet-style dinner, the event will feature a lecture by filmmaker M.K. Asante Jr., who is also an author and professor of creative writing at Morgan State University in Baltimore. He will discuss and play clips from his recently released movie "The Black Candle," which is the first feature film about Kwanzaa.

The movie, which is narrated by poet Maya Angelou, is a story about the struggle and triumph of the African-American family, community, and culture.

Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs Alicia Boards said a Kwanzaa table, Kwanzaa symbols and the seven principles of Kwanzaa will be explained at the dinner.

"This event is meant to be a cultural outreach for all students and gives them a chance to celebrate Kwanzaa before the end of the quarter," Boards said.

Kwanzaa, a holiday based on an African celebration of the first fruits of the harvest, is annually celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. It was founded in 1966 by college professor Maulana Karenga.

Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at the Multicultural Center. A table for eight can be purchased for $110.